Key result
Among 2,707,520 Korean cancer patients, 87.2% of deaths were due to the primary cancer, but noncancer deaths increased over time, including a 20-fold increase in cardiovascular deaths and a higher risk of suicide (SMR 1.68 in men) compared to the general population.
Why the study?
Improved cancer survival was expected to increase noncancer deaths, but detailed causes of death had rarely been discussed and required evaluation.
Population
2 707 520 cancer patients in the 2000-2016 national cancer registry in Korea
Comparison
Cancer patients vs general population
Design
National cancer registry-based cohort study
Authors
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Increasing noncancer mortality including CV and suicide risks in cancer patients warrants vigilance; hypothesis-generating for survivorship care models and trials.
Cohort (n=2,707,520)
Effect estimate: SMR 1.68 (95% CI 1.63-1.74)
While primary cancer remains the leading cause of death in cancer survivors, noncancer deaths, particularly from cardiovascular disease and suicide, are significantly increasing and require targeted follow-up.
Oh et al. (2020) conducted a cohort in Cancer (n=2,707,520). Cancer diagnosis vs. General population was evaluated on Cause of death (index cancer, nonindex cancer, noncancer) and standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) for noncancer deaths (SMR 1.68, 95% CI 1.63-1.74). Among 2,707,520 Korean cancer patients, 87.2% of deaths were due to the primary cancer, but noncancer deaths increased over time, including a 20-fold increase in cardiovascular deaths and a higher risk of suicide (SMR 1.68 in men) compared to the general population.
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